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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2025, vol. 31, issue3
Subject Area: Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2025313.6463
Published online: 17 September 2025
Review article
J of IMAB. 2025 Jul-Sep;31(3):6463-6470
PREVENTION OF PIN TRACT INFECTIONS IN EXTERNAL FIXATION – A REVIEW ARTICLE
Preslav Penev
, Anna Bergaoui,
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Purpose: Many factors are responsible for the prevalence of pin tract infections in external fixation. Different authors' reports show great variance, with infection rates ranging from 3% - 80%. Such clashing data indicate physicians' differences of opinion in what constitutes a pin tract infection. This paper critically evaluates the main strategies, approaches, and outcomes for preventing pin tract infections in external fixation by systematically reviewing the literature.
Materials and Methods: This narrative review conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed and Web of Science for studies addressing pin tract infection prevention, covering literature from the databases' inception until February 20, 2025.
Results: Literature shows that infection prevention should be done throughout all stages of external fixation placement, from the pre- and peri-operative period to the postoperative period prophylaxis.
Conclusion: Taking appropriate measures for wound care allows for proper osteointegration, prevents bacterial adhesion and avoids osteomyelitis and premature pin removal. At this time, there is no consensus on which method of preventing biofilm formation and pin site infection yields the most favorable outcome.
Keywords: Pin tract infections, External fixation, Prevention,
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Please cite this article as: Penev P, Bergaoui A. Prevention of pin tract infections in external fixation – a review article. J of IMAB. 2025 Jul-Sep;31(3):6463-6470. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2025313.6463]
Correspondence to: Preslav Penev, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology; Medical University, Varna; 55, Marin Drinov Str., Varna 9002, Bulgaria; E-mail: dr_penev@abv.bg
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Received: 04 March 2025
Published online: 17 Septtember 2025